Families' relief as Black Watch return

Some of the soldiers are on their second tour of duty

The families of Black Watch soldiers have voiced their delight at the British unit's imminent return to the UK.

After a controversial spell in Camp Dogwood near Baghdad, the soldiers have now returned to Basra, and are expected back in the UK before Christmas.

Some of the greatest relief is among those relatives who are themselves veterans of the famous Scottish regiment.

Bob Scott, who was with the Black Watch between 1959 and 1983, is one of five generations of his family to serve with them.

He has seen his son return from Iraq after a recent tour of duty and now can barely contain his delight at the prospect of the return of his 18-year-old grandson Charles.

"It is a relief. I am so glad."

The government killed those three boys - they should never be in the situation they were in Bob Scott

He said some of the controversy over the Black Watch being redeployed to a more dangerous part of Iraq was misplaced.

"That is a person who doesn't know what they are talking about and hasn't been in this situation.

"There is nowhere that is safe. People say they were much safer down in Basra but remember we took Basra.

"A US colonel said they were the most efficient troops they had ever served with.

"The Americans are not experienced in streetfighting - we have 30 years of experience in Northern Ireland. Some of their NCOs have been going out with their patrols."

Sandy Caird is another Black Watch veteran eagerly awaiting the return of his son Tony, with the regiment for three years and on his second tour having fought at the beginning of the invasion.

"We so much want to see him again. It's been a long time coming, we've been counting the days and we're really getting excited.

"It has been really nerve-wracking, especially when the media report there has been X amount of Black Watch killed before the next of kin have been informed. You're expecting a knock at the door.

"I can also say from a soldier's point of view they have got the added worry of us worrying about them at home.

"Any communication we have we try to make it as happy as possible. But any time he has written to us, he has been on excellent form, spirits have been high."

Veteran's anger

But Mr Scott was angry over the deaths of three Black Watch soldiers and an interpreter at a checkpoint, set up to guard a damaged vehicle, and also at his son being plunged in at the deep end.

"This government has robbed him of his teenage years he will come back a wise man having went away a boy. It is the one thing I do regret.

"The government killed those three boys. They should never be in the situation they were in. When you break down, you blow the vehicle up and get another one.

"There is so much penny-pinching. They had to go back 24 hours after the vehicle [was hit]. There wasn't another one to give them."

Emotional rollercoaster

Lindsay Shaw, 27, from Glenrothes, Fife, the last six months, said husband Sgt Scott Shaw's time in Iraq had been horrendous.

"It has been... a mixture of emotions, plenty of ups and downs, mostly downs - especially in the last four to five weeks, that has been the worst of all.

"You try not to watch the news but you still do it, you still feel yourself turning on the television and try to find out what they are up to.

"I was fortunate enough to see my husband on TV - with a horrendous moustache."

Mrs Shaw said six-year-old son Lewis had hugged the television when he saw his father.

Stephen McNicol, seven, was eagerly awaiting the return of his father Lance Corporal Sandy McNicol, 34, remembering the disappointment of the delay to his coming back caused by the Camp Dogwood mission.

"I'm going to give him a big cuddle, I was awfully upset when he wasn't going to come home, I was crying, I thought it wasn't fair.

"He is coming home for Christmas and I'm going to make him a card. I'm going to say: 'Welcome Back' and draw a picture of a tank and: 'I love you' as well."